Ear guard



Sept. 11, 1928. 1,683,928

c. M. SMYTH EAR GUARD Original Filed Feb. 6, 1926 ATI' RNEY Patented Sept. 11, 1928.

UNITED STATES assen PATENT OFFICE.

CORNELIUS SMYTH, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

EAR- GUARD. 7'

Application filed February 6, 1926, Serial No. 86,317. Renewed February 8, 1928.

This invention relates to certain novel improvements in ear guards and has for its principal object the provision of an improved construction of this character which will be highly efficient in use and economical in manufacture.

Among the salient objects of the invention is the production of a device of this char 'acter wherein there are provided ear guards 19 arranged and adapted to conceal the ears and protect the same from the admission of fluid used for cleaning or treating the hair or skull of the user and wherein these ear guards can be comfortably worn when in use. H Other objects will appear hereinafter.

The invention consists in the novel combination and arrangement of parts to be hereinafter described and claimed.

The invention will be best understood by reference to the accompanying drawing showing the preferred form of construction of my invention and in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective View of the invention illustrating the same mounted in position,

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary outer side elevational view illustrating the general outline of the ear guards embodied in the invention,

Fig. 3 is a sectional view of the same taken substantially on line 3-3 of Fig. 2,

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the invent-ion illustrating one of the ear guards embodied in the invention in section,

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view of the same taken substantially on line 55 of Fig. 1.

This device is for use particularly in cosmetic shops for protecting the ears from dyes or other fluids which might be injurious if allowed to enter the ears.

It is not unusual that an individual having 1 her hair treated or her skull cleansed that 'the fluid used for these purposes finds entrance into the ears much to the discomfort of the user. One method which is frequently used to prevent entrance of the fluid into the ears is the employment of a towel or other similar article fixed to the head in a manner to cover the ears and to expose the hair. This method is objectionable because thetowel ordinarily'is in the way of the one treating the hair. It is, therefore, one of the objects of the invention to provide an ear guard serving to prevent the admission of fluid into the ear while the hai skull is being treated In this connection my improved ear guard includes a connecting band 10 formed of resilient material and bent substantially U- shape'd to provide opposite arms 11 normally disposed toward each other byreason of the resilient properties of the material from which they are formed. 7

To the outer end of these arms I pivotally connect ear guards 12. These ear guards are formed of rubber or other analogous material defining cup shaped bodies 13 with peripheral edges 14. flaring outwardly to provide flat surfaces 15 free from sharp corners or protuberances. These ear guards are preferably formed in a suitable mold and molded within the body of the material there is confined reinforcing plates 16 through which securing bolts17 pass to pivotally secure the ear guards to the ends of the arms. It is important to .note that the general outline of each of the ear guards is semicircular at the top as at 18 and elongated in length with side walls 19 tapering inwardly toward the lower end 20 of the ear guard which is likewise semicircular in shape. The object of this construction is to permit. when the ear guard is mounted in position, the ear to be folded over the orifice of the ear beneath the adjacent wall of the guard as indicated at 21. The reason for folding the ear in this position is, first to prevent a suction in the orifice of the car when the ear guard is removed, and secondly, to position the ear over the orifice ofthe ear so that in the event fluidshould'gain entrance to the inside of the ear guard from the top thereof, the fluid will travel from the helix of the car along the line connecting the ear to the head and out from the bottom of the ear guard: The depth of each of the ear guards is such that the ear thus folded will not be uncomfortable nor be pressed thus folded uncomfortably against the head. 1

As I have stated herein, the peripheral edges of each of the ear guards have flat surfaces 15, these surfaces serving to assist in holding the ear guard firmly in place. This is accomplished by moistening the ear guard and pressing it slightly against the head when the ear is folded and confined in the ear guard. The pressing action forces a small amount of air from confinement in the ear guard and when the pressure is removed the flat surface edges will firmly holdthe skin ther'eunder by reason of a partial vac'u lur. being formed in. the em. guard.

Vifhilel have shown and described preferred form of my invention, it is to be understood that various changes may be re sorted to in manufacture Without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of theappended claims.

The invention having been set forth, What I claim as new and useful is: v 1. An ear protector of the class described including a connecting band bentto pro vide opposite arins normally disposed toward each other, and ear guards connected to the enter ends of the arms andincluding side Walls formedo't' resilient material. 1

2. An ear protector ofthe class described including a connecting band bent to provide of resilient material and having peripheral flat surface edges.

An ear protector of the class described including an eal gem formed from resilient material andincluding opposite corresponding sidewalls tapering inwardly from the top to the bottom thereof, said ear uilds including peripheral edge portions flaring outwardly to provide fiat surface edges.

In testimony whereof I an my signature.

CORNELIUS M. "s'MY'iri.

edge portions flaring outwardly to provide 

